The 81-year-old model narrowly missed becoming the oldest Miss Universe, but did take home the prize for “best dresser.”

An 81-year-old South Korean fashion model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant.

Choi, former hospital care worker who began modelling in 70s, was announced a finalist along with 31 contestants

South Korean model Choi Soon-hwa on Monday narrowly missed becoming the oldest person to win Miss Universe Korea, competing with a group of 32 women in Seoul at the age of 80. The competition allows the winner to represent South Korea in November’s Miss Universe competition. Choi was the oldest finalist the pageant has seen.

Choi Soon-hwa may not have won Miss Universe Korea, but her appearance at Monday's pageant proved, as CNN put it, that "age is just a number." Choi, variously reported as 80 or 81, had hopes of becoming the oldest woman ever to compete in the Miss Universe pageant,

An 80-year-old South Korean model, Choi Soon-hwa, has made headlines by becoming the oldest contestant in the Miss Universe Korea pageant. With her white hair and vibrant spirit, she stands out among her much younger competitors,

An 81-year-old model has taken part in a Miss Universe Korea pageant in an attempt to become the world's oldest Miss Universe contestant. Choi Soon-hwa strutted across the stage in a beaded white gown and performed in a singing contest at the Miss Universe ...

So when Ms Universe, the famed beauty pageant which began nine years after Ms Choi was born, decided to throw out rules banning entrants over the age of 28 earlier this year, she jumped at the chance to take part - making her the oldest ever contestant so far to take part.

An 81-year-old South Korean fashion model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in the country’s national pageant against rivals old enough to be her grandchildren.

A Korean grandmother is defying beauty stereotypes in her quest to represent the East Asian country at this November’s Miss Universe pageant in Mexico.

An 80-year-old South Korean model has scripted history by becoming the oldest participant in the Miss Universe Korea pageant.